The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced submission of proposal applications for the 2009 Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) has been reopened until April 1, 2009. The previous deadline to submit applications was March 2.

Global economic downturns and protectionist trade policies do not mix. That is a lesson made clear by the mistakes of depression-era trade policies of the early 20th century. To halt a global march toward similar flawed policies during the 21st century, the U.

Beginning April 1, 2009, breeding bulls entering Texas from any other state must be either 24 months of age or younger and certified as a virgin, or be tested negative for cattle trichomoniasis within 30 days prior to entry.

Sale Calendar is a service to our advertisers. There is a minimum advertising requirement to be eligible to be listed in the sale calendar. Contact your fieldman for more information, or to have your date added to the Sale Calendar. We will only run auction sale dates or private treaty start dates.

The newborn calf has many challenges to face as it begins to live on its own. The first of these challenges is a change in environment. If a calf can get beyond the challenge of finding its feet and finding mom?s teat, there is a good chance it will be able to handle life.

The cash fed cattle market improved some last week as futures markets posted increases in early week trade and cutout values finally found a level of support. Those two factors helped improve sentiment, and trade looked to be steady to $1 higher when it developed.

Calving time is imminent. This is easy to see as the cows settle into the final weeks of gestation. Cows are a bit slower to get up. Their movement is not as decisive and the placement of feet is more careful. There is a noticeable decrease in the willingness to jockey for the pecking order.

Supporters of mandator y Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) and opponents of further consolidation of the beef processing sector sure have a lot to cheer about. The mCOOL boosters now have the ear of our new Agriculture secretary, who has asked the meat industry to voluntarily adopt three practices stricter than those laid out in USDAs final rule.

Tyson Foods Inc., the worlds largest meat producer, said recently it will issue $500 million in notes and it plans to arrange a new $1 billion line of credit. The company announced that the $500 million in unsecured senior notes would be due 2014.